Counter



Aug- 1, 1939. H. N. Buss 2,168,151

COUNTER Original Filed April 20, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l H. N. BLISS Aug. 1, 1939.

COUNTER Original Filed April 20, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 3 /4 21 11 'j MFT/:HA

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Patented Aug. l, 1939 UNITED sTATEs coUN'rEn Harvey N. Bliss, Windsor, Conn., aaaignor to Voeder-Root, Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut Application April 20, 1934, Serial No. 721,498 Renewed March Z1, 1938 22 Claims.

. My invention relates to counters.

I t has among its objects to provide an improved counter, and, more particularly, an improved counter of the pick counter type. A furlI5 ther object of my invention is to provide improved indicating means associated with such a counter whereby tampering with the counter is indicated, together with improved cooperating controlling means whereby, in conjunction with said indicating means, efforts on the part of an operator to advance the count fraudulently are eiectively overcome. iA still further object of my invention is to provide an improved construction which, while adapted to function effectively to obtain the above results, heretofore only obtainable in pick counters of the more expensive key locking type, is also adapted to be applied in an exceedinglysimple form to a standard type of pick counter without appreciably increasing the expense of the same. These and other obl:lects v'and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear. In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration certain embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a double pick counter equipped with my improvements;

Figure 2 is a plan view of this counter with a portion of the cover broken away to show the counter wheels and the cooperating indicating and controlling mechanism;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detail transverse sectional View on line 4-4 of Figure 2;.

Figure 5 is a detail transverse sectional view on line 5--5 of Figure 2 and partially broken away to facilitate illustration;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional View on line G-Ii of Figure 4;

Figure 'I is a detail longitudinal sectional view on line 1--1 of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the cup shaped shutters;

' Figure 9 is a detail view similar to Figure 3, but viewed from the opposite direction and showing a modified form of pawl and ratchet;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a further modified construction;

Figure 11 is a sectional view on line II-I I of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a sectional view on line I2-I2 of Figure 10 Figure 13 is a sectional view on line I3-I3 of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a perspective view form of the shutter unit, and

Figure l5 is a reverse perspective view of the shutter unit of Figure 14 showing the inside of the same.

In the illustrative construction shown in Figures 1 to 8, I have shown a pick' counter of a usual double type including a casing I having a cover 2 and a plurality of coaxial counters, generally indicated at 3 and 4, dispo d in parallel relation therein and selectively connectible through usual clutch mechanism, not shown, to a driving shaft 5 through a manuallyadjustable clutch controlling member 5, while each counter also has a resetting member 1 adapted to be rotated through one revolution to reset the same; improved indicating and controlling mechanism, hereinafter described, being associated with the counters and resetting mechanism, as herein` after more fully appears.

Inasmuch as the counters 3 and 4 and their resetting mechanism are identical, it is sufficient to' describe .only one of the same, herein the l of a modiiied counter 3. This counter includes a plurality of counter units, generally indicated at A, B and C and including number wheels 8, 9, and III, respectively, visible through a usual reading window 2a in the cover 2. Herein, the several counters are carried on a resetting shaft I2 rotatable by the resetting member 'l and disposed coaxially with said shaft and operatively connected by usual transfer pinions I3 and intermediate transfer gearing of the locking type. More particularly, it will be noted that each of these units is also of the same construction, so that the unit B on the counter 3 may be taken as an example. Here it will also be noted that this unit, in addition to its number wheel 9, is provided with a locking disc I4 and a mutilated transfer gear I5, both xed with the number wheel to an axial sleeve I6. Also, a usual spring connected pawl I1 is disposed in the locking disc Iland adapted to engage with a usually longitudinally extending slot I8 in the reset shaft I2 to effect resetting, while a usual spring connected ratchet mechanism is also provided at the opposite end of the unit including a ratchet I9 disposed in the number wheel 9 and spring pressed pawls 2li rotatable with the gear 2|. Thus, it will be evi-- dent that when the position of adjustment of the clutch controlling member 5 is such as to connect `the counter 3 to the drive 5, the counter 3 will count progressively in a well known manner,

while when the member 6 is reversely connected the counter 4 will operate similarly.

lIn my improved construction, it will be noted that I provide on each end counter unit A a cup shaped shutter 22. This shutter is disposed coaxially with the unit and has a rim enclosing the same save for a cut-away portion or aperture 23 which is provided in such manner as to expose the zero indication on the number wheel following resetting. Further, it will be noted that this shutterl is provided with a closed end 24 and that this closed end has an aperture 25 to permit the passage of the reset shaft I2, while this aperture is' also provided with a lug 26 'adapted to be received in the slot I8 in the reset shaft I2 in such manner as to effect rotation of the shutter with the shaft in either direction. It will thus be evident that when either member 1 is rotated toward reset position, a portion of the rim of the shutter 22 will be visible as indicated 'at the bottom in Figure 1 and remain visible throughout the process of resetting the counter. As soon, however, as the counter reaches a fully reset position, wherein all the counter wheels are at zero, the aperture 23 in the shutter will then expose the zero on the wheel 8. Accordingly, if an operator starts to cheat by only partially advancing the resetting member 1, the exposed rim of the shutter 22 will provide an indicating means indicating to the supervisor that the operator is tampering with the mechanism.

Operatively associated with each shutter 22 is also improved cooperating contrblling means controlling the rotation of the s'ame and of the resetting member 1 and reset shaft I2. Herein, this means includes a ratchet member 21 `having a. plurality of teeth 28, herein seven in number, on its periphery and adapted to be engaged by a -spring pawl 29, suitably carried as at on the m.

inside of the cover 2. Further, it will be noted that this ratchet 21 is suitably fixed, as by a iiat portion, to a sleeve 3| which is itself suitably fixed, as by a pin, to the shaft I2, all in such manner as to cause the ratchet 21 to be rotated whenever the shaft I2 is rotated. Moreover, it will be noted that this ratchet 21 is suitably spaced from the inside end wall of the casing I and the adjacent face of a collar on the sleeve 3|, as by spacing sleeves 32 and 33, respectively. With the counter wheels and resetting shaft I2 in the reset, zero-indicating position, the pawl 29 and Lratchet 21 occupy the relative positions illustrated in Figure 3. It will be noted from this gure that the teeth 28 of the ratchet 21 are arranged in denite peripheral relation to the numerals 2, 1, 0, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 on the counter wheels so that when any one of the above numerals appears in the Window of the counter casing, the abutment of a ratchet tooth is in position to be engaged by the pawl 29 to prevent reverse rotation of the resetting mechanism. As a result of this construction, it is made impossible for an operator endeavoring to reverse the reset mechanism to effect a reverse movement of either the member 1, the shaft I2, the shutter 22, or the ratchet 21 during the portion of the resetting operation when the teeth 28 are under the spring pawl 29, the latter then dropping in behind a tooth which has passed the same to prevent such a reverse movement of the parts. Thus the dishonest operator is unable to rotate the resetting shaft reversely throughout a substantial part of the range of resetting movement on either side of the zero position illustrated in Figure 3.

As a result of the provision of this improved ratchet mechanism and its cooperation with my improved shutter 22, it is made impractical for an operator desiring to advance the count fraudulently, to advance the count when starting weaving, i. e. when at the beginning of the shift or week he finds the counter reset with all the wheels at zero. Thus, whereas in a prior construction having for example, two teeth on the ratchet an operator, finding the shutter 22 with its aperture 23 exposing the zero on the wheel 8, might manipulate the reset mechanism and shutter in such manner as to advance the count, my improved construction makes this fraudulent adjustment impossible over any co'nj ceivably safe cheating range. For example, with this prior construction, if the operator attempted to cheat at the beginning of the shift or week, he would rotate the resetting member 1 until all the -exposed wheels showed, say, 9, the wheel 8 then being covered by the shutter 22. Then the operator would weave, say, two thousand picks to bring up 1 on the wheel I0. Then he would turn the member 1 backward 1*-6 of a revolution, l. e. as far as it would go, to pick up the pawl I1 of the wheel I0, and then turn the member 1 forward to move the wheel I0 to zero and by the transfer mechanism, to move wheel 9 to indicate 1 thus obtaining a reading of 10, or ten thousand picks,

when he had actually woven only two thousand picks. In my improved construction, however, due to the action of the ratchet inhibiting a. reverse movement of the member 1 in new positions, such an operation would be impossible. 'I'his is due to the fact that, whereas the ratchet teeth of the prior construction above referred to extended in only one direction from the zero position of the number wheels, in the present-construction, illustrated in Figure 3, the ratchet teeth are disposed on both sides of the zero position illustrated therein. Thus only a very limited range for reverse movement is available to the operator. For example, it'would be necessary for the operator to turn the 'reset to indicate 4s before he could obtain a reverse of the resetting member 1 and shaft I2, and this would mean' that he would have to weave so many` thousand picks while the shutter 22 was visible to any supervisor who might come around, that no operator would feel safe in risking detection for this length of time.. Further note that if a supervisor came at any time during this long interval, 1n order to escape being caught witht the shutter showing; the operator would have to turn the counter back to zero position and therebylose credit for all the actual weaving of perhaps many thousand picks which he had previously legitimately woven.

In Figure 9, I have illustrated a modified construction of ratchet mechanism which may be used if desired and wherein it will be noted that,

instead of seven teeth, the ratchet member 21 is provided with ten teeth extending clear around the same.` Obviously, with such a ratchet it would never be possible to rotate the resetting mechanism reversely. Further, it will be noted that in this figure I have illustrated a spring connected pawl 34 pivoted at 35 on the end wall oi' the casing I, as distinguished from being carried on the cover 2 of the casing. Obviously the operation of this pawl would, however, be the same as that of the spring pawl previously described.

In Figures 10 to 15 I have illustrated a further modified construction utilizing my improved cup shaped shutter, which is especially adapted to prevent cheating by rapping or tapping the wing nut of the reset mechanism while the shaft is restrained from rotation by holding the wing nut in an effort to advance the count by jumping ahead one or more number wheels. In this construction the counter mechanism per se is the same as that previously described, as is also the ratchet mechanism. However, it will be noted that the cup-shaped shutter 22, having the aperture 23 therein, instead of being provided with a lug adapted to be received in the' slot Il of the reset shaft I2, has the latter extended through a round aperture 36 so that the shutter 22 may be rotated relative to the shaft. Herein it will also be noted that the shutter 22 has a locking disc 31 and an outer retaining disc 3l suitably attached, as by rivets 39, to the end surface of the shutter 22 surrounding the round aperture $6. It will also be observed that the locking disc l1 is provided with a usual pawl aperture 40 in which a reset pawl 4I is pivotally mounted.in a usual manner and acted upon by a usual form of pawl spring 42, so that the pawl 4i is adapted to be received in and cooperate with the slot Il in the reset shaft i2 in a usual manner. Morev over, in this construction, in addition to the spring pawl 29.01' pivoted pawl 34 previously described and u'sed in connection with the ratchet .21, I also provide a second spring 43, herein suitably carried as at 44 on the cover 2 and disposed over the periphery of the discs 31 and 2l' and pressing resiliently upon these discs. In practice, this spring 4I exerts suiilcient friction upon these discs so that the latter and the shutter 22, which is movable therewith, will not spin lahead during a quick resetting operation of the reset member 1, but this spring is not so stiif as to prevent the shutter 22 from moving ahead and covering thereading on its counter unit if the reset knob 1 is struck a sharp blow. In connection with this modified form of shutter it should be noted that the shutter has no clutch corresponding to the spring controlled clutches provided for the number wheels l, 9, and I (Figure 5), instead having only the light restraining spring 43; and hence the shutter is sure to be advanced by a blow having suiilcient force to advance any number wheel.

In the use of this modified construction, it will be evident that the shutter 22 will normally rotate with the resetting mechanism in such manner as to have its rim cover the reading during resetting, while exposing the reading in the zero position and during counting. Further, it will be evident that the action of the spring 4I is such as to prevent over-travel of the shutter during a quick reset, while yet being suchas not to prevent movement of the shutter into a reading covering position when the reset operating member i is sharply tapped in the manner usual when attempting a fraudulent advance of the l. count. In practicing this form of cheating, the operator strikes a. wing of the wing nut 1 a sharp blow while holding the wing nut against rotation. In this manner he can jump ahead the number wheel of one or-more of Ithe number wheels 4, S and Il which may be at zero, the

force of the blow being transmitted by the ver' tical wall ofthe slot Il of the reset slfaft throuh the resetting pawl I1 of the counting unit to advance its number wheel in a counting direction.

is done, it will be noted, without rotating the reset shaft, and since the wing nut indicates that the resetting shaft has not been rotated beyond its normal resetting position, there is no indication that the count has been thus fraudulently advanced. In this modified construction, however, when such a blow is struck on the member 1, the shutter 22, the pawl 4I of which is always in slot I8, jumps ahead and covers the number wheels of unit A in such manner as to indicate tampering and wipe out the count registered on the counter. Here particular attention is directed to the fact that the shutter 22 acts to eiface the count on the counter regardless of whether it is the number wheel `of the shutter-carrying unit A or a lower order unit B or C which is jumped ahead by the blow on the wing nut, the shutter acting to wipe out the count so that a reading cannot possibly be taken, and to indicate fraud just as effectively when units B and C are tampered with in this fashion as in the case of unit A. Further, it will be evident that the shutter is thereafter out of the control of the operator and only returnable to reading exposing position by resetting; any continued tapping in the same direction in an effort to return the shutter 22 to normal position is futile since the pawl 4l has been moved ahead of slot i8 in the reset shaft by the first blow and can tion of the shaft which by reason of the ratchet 21 requires completion of resetting to avoid detection.

A's a result of my improvements, it is made possible to provide an inexpensive counter of the non-key locking type having substantially the same results, as regards indicating tampering with the resetting mechanism and preventing a reverse movement of the latter or advance of the counter by rapping, as heretofore have only been obtainable in the far more expensive type of counter having means for locking the key against removal and thereby utilizing the key as an indicating means. Further, it will be noted that, as compared with previous shutter mechanisms utilizing a shutter covering all of the counter wheels and a cam or other operating mechanism for such a shutter, it is made possible in my improved construction to provide the same protection while requiring only an exceedingly simple and inexpensive formof shutter covering only one counter wheel and eliminating any need for a controlling cam. Further, it will, of course, be evident that a dications of tampering. These and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described certain embodiments of my invention it will be understood that these forms of the same are used for illustrative purposes and that the inventionmay be modified and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected counter units, each having anumber wheel, and resetting mechanism for said number wheels, of a rotatable shut..

be reengaged therewith only by a resettingrotater coaxial with one of said units and exposing Wheel,

the numbers on the number wheel of said unit only during counting and in the zero position ofI said resetting mechanism.

2. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected counter units, each having a number wheel, and resetting mechanism for said number wheels including an axial resetting shaft, of an annular shutter coaxial with one unit and having an aperture exposingthe reading thereon, and means for actuating said shutter by said shaft to 4cover said reading upon operation of said resetting mechanism and expose the reading in zero position of said mechanism.

3. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected counter units, each having a number wheel, and resetting mechanism for said number wheels including a rotatable shaft coaxial with said units, of,a shutter enclosing the unit of highest order and constantly shrouding all but one indication on the number wheel of said unit and rotatable with said reset- .ting shaft from indication exposing position back to indication exposing position while shrouding the reading on said unit during such rotation.

4. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected counter units, each having a number wheel, and resetting mechanism for said number wheels including a rotatable shaft coaxial with said units, of a shutter enclosing one unit only and constantly shrouding all but one number on the number wheel of said unit, and means operated by said resetting mechanism for shrouding the reading on said unit during resetting and for exposing the 4reading on said unit only in the zero position of said 4resetting mechanism.

5. The combination with a counter having a series of counter units, each having a number resetting mechanism for said number Wheels including a resetting shaft coaxial with said units, and transfer mechanism operatively connecting adjacent units, of a shutter enclosing the unit of the highest order and constantly shrouding all but one indication on the number wheel of said unit, and means for rotating said shutter upon rotation with -said shaft, from a reading exposing position into zero exposing position in the zero position of said resetting mechanism.

6. The combination with a counter having a series of counter units, each having a likenumber wheel, resetting mechanism for said number wheels including a resetting shaft coaxial with said units, and transfer mechanism external of said wheels operatively connecting adjacent units, of a shutter enclosing the unit of the highesty order and constantly shrouding all but one indication on the number wheel of said unit, and shutter driving mechanism for rotating said shutter by said shaft, 'from a reading exposing position of said shutter into zero exposing position in the zero position of said resetting mechanism having means for permitting said shutter to rotate relative to said shaft in the resetting direction.

7. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected counter units, each having a number wheel, and resetting mechanism for said number wheels in'cluding a resetting s haft coaxial with said units, of a shutter enclosing the unit of the highest order and constantly shrouding all but one indication on the number wheel of said unit, and shutter driving mechanism for rotating said shutter upon rotation of said shaft,

from a reading exposing position of said shutter into z ero exposing position in the zero position of said resetting mechanism, having means for per.- mitting said shutter to rotate in the resetting direction relative to said shaft also preventing a -reverse rotation of said shutter by said shaft.

8. The combination with a counter having a counter unit including a'number wheel and reset,- ting mechanism forthe latter including a shaft coaxialwith said unit, of a shutter 'shrouding all but one indication on the number wheel of said unit, and mechanism for. rotating said .shutter with said shaft from a reading exposing position through a complete revolution back to said reading exposing position upon operation of said resetting mechanism to reset said number wheel to zero, said shutter rotating mechanism having means for effecting independent rotation of said shutter into shrouding position following a blow on said resetting mechanism.

9. The combination with a counter having a counter unit including a number Wheel and resetting mechanism for the latter including a shaft coaxial with said unit, of a shutter shrouding all but one indication on the numberwheel of said unit, mechanism for rotating said shutter with -said resetting shaft from a reading exposing position through a complete revolution back to said reading exposing position upon operationof said lresetting mechanism to reset said number wheels to zero, and means acting on said shutter ,30 to inhibit-overtravel of said shutter following reting mechanism 4for the latter including a rotata-` ble shaft coaxial with said unit, of a shutter shrouding all but one indication on the number' wheel of said unit, mechanism for rotating said shutter by said shaft from a reading exposing position through a complete revolution back into zero exposing position upon operation of said resetting mechanism to reset said number wheels to zero having shutter resetting means carried by said shutter and cooperating with said coaxial resetting shaft, and means acting on said shutter to inhibit overtravel of said shutter during resetting while permitting such overtravel f ollowing a' blow on said resetting mechanism.

11. The combination with a counter having a counter unit including a number wheel and resetting mechanism for the latter including a rotatable resetting shaft, of a shutter shrouding all but one indication on the number wheel of said unit, mechanism for rotating said shutter by said shaft from a reading exposing position through a complete revolution back into zero exposing posi- `tion upon operation of said resetting mechanism to reset said number wheel to zero having resetting means carried by said shutter and cooperating with said resetting mechanism, only when said resetting mechanism is moved in a resetting direction, and means acting on said shutter to inhibit overtravel of said shutter during resetting while permitting such overtravel following a blow on said resetting mechanism.

12. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected couunter units, eachV 7 `counter unit including a number wheel and reset- R35 tion of said resetting mechanism in certain positions thereof.

13. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected counter units,each having a number wheel, and resetting mechanism for said number Wheels including a rotatable resetting shaft coaxial with said units, of a shutter enclosing one of said units and rotatable with said mechanism during resetting and exposing the numerals on said wheel only in the zero position of said resetting mechanism, and means for requiring an operator after an initial resetting movement of said resetting mechanism to return the same to zero position in a resetting direction to expose said unit.

14. The combination with a counter having a series of operatively connected counter units,each having a number wheel, and resetting mechanism for said number wheels including a rotatable shaft coaxial with said units, of a shutter enclosing one of said units and exposingthe number wheel of the same only in the zero position of said resetting mechanism, and means comprising cooperating elements, one rotatable with said resetting mechanism and the other carried by said shutter cooperating therewith, for rotating said shutter by said shaft when the latter is rotated in a resetting direction and for preventing a reverse rotation of said shutter by said shaft.

15. The combination with a counter having a series of counter units, each having a number Wheel, resetting4 mechanism for said number wheels including a rotatable resetting shaft coaxial with said units, and transfer mechanism operatively connecting adjacent units, of a shutter rotatable with said shaft and enclosing one of said units exposing the reading on said unit only in the reset position of said resetting mechanism, and-means comprising a ratchet wheel on said shaft and a cooperating pawl inhibiting 'reverse rotation of said shaft in certain positions thereof.

16. The combination with a counter having a counter unit includinga number wheel and carrying a reset pawl, a coaxial reset shaft extending through said unit and having a slot cooperating with said pawl, a unit shrouding shutter rotatable with said shaft and exposing only one indication on the number wheel of said unit, and means for rotating said shaft and shutter relative to said unit and pawl until said shaft picks up said pawl and said shutter exposes the zero indication on said number wheel.

17. The combination with a counter having a counter unit including a number wheel and carrying a reset pawl, a coaxial reset shaft extending through said unit and having a slot cooperating with said pawl, a unit shrouding shutter rotatable with said shaft and exposing only one indication on the number wheel of said unit, means for rotating said shaft and shutter relative to'said -unit and pawl in a resetting direction until said vshaft picks up said pawl, and for inhibiting re.-

verse rotation of said shutter.

18. In a counter, a counter wheel having a plurality of numerals about its periphery and .said unit is rotatable during counting, which shaft is also rotatable to reset said wheel to' zero, and a shutter rotatable with said shaft during re- 5 setting movement of the latter shrouding the periphery of said Wheel and having an aperture therein exposing the numeral on said wheel which is at said numeral exposing position only when said shaft is in its normal reset position. 1()

19. In a counter, a rotatable series of counter Wheels having a plurality of numerals on their peripheries, a shaft about which said wheels are rotatable, which shaft is also rotatable to reset said wheels to zero, and a shutter comprising a l; disc on said shaft and coaxial with said Wheels having an annular flange enclosing the periphery of one of said wheels and shrouding the numerals thereon, said ange having an aperture exposing a singe numeral on said wheel and said disc hav- 30 ing means cooperating with said shaft for rotating the shutter during resetting movement of said shaft.

20. A shutter for a counter wheel comprising an annular disc having an axial aperture there- 2,-, through and a laterally extended peripheral flange having a reading aperture therein, and means on said disc for cooperating with rotatable resetting mechanism extending through said axial aperture.

21. In a pick counter, a pick counter casing having reading window means, a plurality of counter mechanisms disposed side by side in said casing and each comprising a plurality of operatively connected number wheels of different or- ,35 der visible through said window means, driving means for said mechanism having a driving connection outsidev said casing, resetting mechanism for said counter mechanisms including a separately operable resetting shaft for each counter 40 and reset operating means for each shaft separately operable from the outside of said casing,

.and mechanism for indicating an attempt to advance the count on any counter by a blow on the reset operating member thereof, including co- 45 operating actuating means, one rotatable with one of said shafts, and another movable relative to said first mentioned means upon a blow on the operating member for said shaft, and shutter means projected into said window means upon 50 movement of said relatively movable means.

22. In a counter, a counting Wheel having a plurality of numerals about its periphery and rotatable to move said numerals progressively past a numeral exposing position, a shaft about 55 which said unit is rotatable during counting, means for rotating said shaft to reset said Wheel to zero, and a shutter operable upon rotation of said shaft during resetting mvement of the latter to shroud the periphery of said wheel, said 60 shutter having an aperture therein exposing the numeral on said wheel which is at said numeral exposing position only when said shaft is in its normal reset position.

HARVEY N. BLISS. 

